Infallible Protector

Infallible Protector

Recent times have been quite mourning times. Terrorism and natural calamities are at its worst. Apart from these there are certain situations which are beyond one's control, and it becomes life threatening. In these kinds of situations we depend on our quick decision making skill or the immediate family or friends to bail us out of the problem. Sometimes we use our position or money to get us out of tough times. So generally the four things, money, youth, relatives and intelligence are depended upon. However the scriptures call these are fallible soldiers.

Money, youth and relatives are not dependable as they don't guarantee safety. The recent crash of the Libya bound aircraft which killed more than a 100 people onboard, nothing could save them. Neither their money nor their relatives! They simply could not escape depending on their physical or intellectual prowess. And moreover these soldiers are themselves fallible. Our relatives are themselves in grip of cruel laws of nature. They can perish any time, so what is the question of them saving us from perishing.

The exact sentiment is represented by a great Vaishnava Acharya, Srila Bhakti Vinode Thakur in his beautiful song as:

ei dhana joban putra parijan; ithe ki aachhe paratiti re
kamal dala-jala jivan tala-mal; bhajahu hari-pada niti re

The life is like a drop on the leaf of Lotus. It may roll off from the surface of the leaf into the lake. So the best advisable solution is to make a principle in life to worship the lotus feet of Lord Sri Hari. Only by devoting oneself to Krishna and surrendering to him, can we get the gift of fearlessness from the miseries of the material world. Because Lord Krishna personally asked Arjuna to proclaim to the world, that he gives protection to his devotee and that His devotee never perishes.

This is directly illustrated in the pastime of Appearance of Lord Narasimha. The sole purpose of His appearance was for the protection of His dear devotee Prahalada's life, faith and fame.

Prahlada was the son of a great demon Hiranyakashipu, who because of potency of his austerity had taken control of the three worlds. The demigods were so frightened of him that they had run off from heaven and hid themselves. Hiranyakashipu was a great atheist and because of his controllership he declared himself as God. However his very own son Prahalada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu and never accepted his father's supremacy. Hiranyakashipu was angered by this.

There were several instances when he tried to kill Prahlada by various methods. By throwing him from the cliff, throwing in a dark pit of venomous snakes, giving him poisoned milk, having him sit in a pyre, etc. But due to Prahalada's staunch faith in Lord Vishnu, he was protected everytime. However Hiranyakashipu was not pleased and one day he challenged him. Hiranyakashipu asked if Vishnu is God, then where He exists. Prahlada replied, "Vishnu is omnipotent, he is present everywhere." On this he asked, if He exists in each atom, then He must be existing in the pillar nearby. Prahalada affirmed.

Hiranyakashipu struck his sword hard on the pillar challenging Prahalada's faith that if that is the case, then let Lord Vishnu appear out of the column. To his utter horror a unique personality appeared roaring loudly which shook the three worlds. Effulgent, Strong bodied never seen before creature half-man and half-lion. His teeth were like thunderbolts. Eyes shot red with anger. Lord Narasimha had appeared to protect His beloved devotee and slay demons like Hiranyakashipu. Within no time, despite Hiranyakashipus' fruitless attempts, Lord took him on His lap and tore apart his stomach with His sharp nails. Prahalada's unshakeable faith in Lord Hari and his protection saved him.

Lord's protection is available to anyone. The condition is that one must surrender before the Lord. In same mood, Srila Prabhupada gave the most wonderful Narasimha prayer to his disciples & followers for protection. You may chant the same to achieve the same fearless state achieved by Prahalada Maharaja.

namas te narasimhaya prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakashipor vaksaha shila-tanka-nakhalaye

I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone like chest of the demon Hiranyakashipu.

ito naraisimhah parato naraisimho
yato yato yami tato naraisimhah
bahir nrisimho hrdaye nrisimho
naraisimham adim sharanam prapadye

Lord Narasimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Narasimha is there. He is within the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Narasimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.

tava kara-kamala vare
nakham adbhuta-shringam
dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu bhrigam
keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa
jaya jagadisha hare

O Keshava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of half-man, half-lion! All glories to you! Just as one can easily crush a wasp between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasp like demon Hiranyakashipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on your beautiful lotus hands.

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